Assistant General Counsel, Business Development Transactions Law

At Bristol Myers Squibb, our employees often ask, “Who are you working for?”—a question that fuels collaboration, accountability, and urgency in our work. Our purpose-driven culture inspires us to discover, develop, and deliver innovative medicines to prevail over serious diseases. We offer uniquely interesting and meaningful work, opportunities for growth, and a supportive environment that values inclusion, wellbeing, flexibility, and comprehensive benefits. This is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it.

Position Summary
The Assistant General Counsel, Business Development Transactions Law, provides enterprise-level legal leadership and people management in support of Bristol Myers Squibb’s business development strategy. This role is suited for a senior transactional attorney who operates at the portfolio level—setting deal strategy, negotiation precedent, and risk tolerance across the transaction pipeline—while leading and developing a team of experienced attorneys. The Assistant General Counsel leads the team supporting the full lifecycle of licensing, collaborations, mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, and equity investments—from deal intake and diligence through negotiation, execution, and handoff to Alliance Management—and is accountable for the standards, precedent, and risk posture applied across that portfolio. The role requires close partnership with senior business development and corporate development leaders, Law leadership, specialist legal functions, cross-functional stakeholders, and external counsel, and serves as a trusted advisor to senior leaders across BMS.

Key Responsibilities

• Set and execute the legal strategy for BD Transactions, aligned with enterprise priorities, portfolio strategy, and risk tolerance.

• Serve as a senior advisor to Business Development on complex and novel transaction structures.

• Anticipate deal trends, regulatory developments, and industry dynamics; proactively position the organization to address legal and business risk.

• Oversee the structuring, drafting, and negotiation of high-value, high-complexity business development transactions, including licensing, collaborations, mergers and acquisitions, equity investments, and divestitures.

• Own the legal due diligence model for complex business development transactions, setting diligence scope expectations, escalation standards, and coordination with IP, litigation, antitrust, regulatory, tax, and other specialist teams.

• Select and manage external counsel, including scoping engagements, negotiating fees, and managing legal spend for the BD transaction portfolio.

• Own the transaction legal support model, including deal intake, staffing, diligence escalation, negotiation standards, and portfolio execution discipline.

• Lead and develop a team of BD Transactions attorneys, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Drive performance management and talent development to strengthen capability and engagement.

• Hold accountability for enterprise-level legal exposure arising from the transaction portfolio, including escalation and resolution strategy for material disputes.

• Set the organizational capability agenda for BD Transactions, including templates, playbooks, escalation protocols, training, and continuous improvement.

• Apply strong business acumen and sound judgment to navigate complex, matrixed organizational structures.

• Deliver practical, service-oriented legal advice aligned with Bristol Myers Squibb’s mission and values.

Qualifications & Experience

• J.D. degree and admission to a state bar.

• Minimum 15 years of legal experience, including leading, drafting, and negotiating complex agreements in the biopharmaceutical/life sciences industry.

• Strong working knowledge of the biopharmaceutical/life sciences industry, including deal structures, development and commercialization models, and the regulatory environment.

• Track record of leading large, complex, high-risk transactions and advising senior executives.

• Leadership experience managing senior attorneys and/or managers in a matrixed environment.

• Ability to manage multiple high-priority projects in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail.

• Exceptional judgment and strategic thinking, with the ability to navigate ambiguity.

• Strong executive presence and communication skills; able to influence and advise senior stakeholders.

• Strong problem-solving and risk assessment skills, with demonstrated effectiveness in cross-functional, matrixed organizations.

• High integrity and commitment to BMS values.

We hire for skills and capabilities, not just credentials – if this role excites you, but doesn’t perfectly match your resume, we encourage you to apply anyway.

Compensation Overview:

$290,450 - $351,951

The starting pay range(s) listed above is for full-time employees (FTE). You may also be eligible for additional discretionary incentive cash and stock opportunities. …